Xfinity’s recent distribution deal with Amazon Prime Video will put Amazon’s original content into Xfinity’s package, moving consumers a little closer to a model familiar from cable TV, where every streaming service is just a channel that’s bundled under a few big outlets. The model lets everyone leverage costs and expand their audience, but it feels like a step backward.

Xfinity’s recent distribution deal with Amazon Prime Video will put Amazon’s original content into Xfinity’s package, moving consumers a little closer to a model familiar from cable TV, where every streaming service is just a channel that’s bundled under a few big outlets. The model lets everyone leverage costs and expand their audience, but it feels like a step backward.